Wikborg Rein
Wikborg Rein leverages its international network of offices to advise international and domestic rig companies, onshore wind producers, and owners, developers, and operators of energy plants on the full range of contentious and non-contentious work. Oil and gas disputes, both domestic and international, feature prominently in the ‘truly outstanding’ group’s caseload; Aadne Haga is a key contact here. Haga works alongside Cathrine B. Hetland, who attracts praise for her ’absolutely unparalleled’ expertise in regulatory matters and leads the oil and gas group. On the renewables side, key individuals include ‘very intelligent and knowledgeable’ global practice head Tormod Ludvik Nilsen, Caroline Skaar Landsværk, and Christian James-Olsen. Landsværk heads up the energy, renewables and infrastructure team in Oslo and has notable expertise in regulatory, development, and contract work, while James-Olsen leads the Bergen team and works primarily with project development and contractual issues in the offshore industry.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Unique experience within the sector.'
‘Wikborg Rein's oil and gas team is one of the few teams in the Norwegian market that understands both domestic oil and gas issues and also has the capability to advise on complex oil and gas matters internationally.’
‘I would describe Cathrine Hetland as one of the best oil and gas lawyers in Norway. She has absolutely unparalleled knowledge of the Norwegian regulatory framework for oil and gas issues and is able to provide crystal clear advice on very complex questions. She combines this skill with several years of experience in high-stakes, international energy dispute resolution.’
‘The Wikborg Rein team has a unique ability to quickly understand the core issues and provide high-quality support. The distribution of tasks internally in the team is seamless, and communication with us is excellent. They very much improve our decision-making and interaction with partners.’
‘Caroline Skaar Landsværk is our main contact and partner. She is the main reason that the WR team delivers excellent results and support. She is very skilled at understanding the core issues and scaling/planning the WR effort accordingly.’
‘Wikborg Rein is our first choice in the Scandinavian market when it comes to oil and gas disputes. They are truly outstanding in all relevant aspects.’
‘Aadne Haga is our go-to lawyer at the firm.’
‘Tormod Ludvik Nilsen is a very intelligent and knowledgeable lawyer. He is very responsive and I really enjoy working with him and his team.’
Key clients
- OW Offshore S.L.
- Eviny Fornybar AS
- Fornybar Norge
- Plenitude (Eni Spa.)
- Bekk og Strøm AS
- Eidsiva Energi AS
- Hafslund AS
- Odfjell Oceanwind AS
- Norsk Hydro ASA, incl. Hydro REIN AS
- Landsvirkjun
- Gen2Energy
- Asko Fornybar AS
- Norfund
- Emergy
- Troms Kraft AS
- Hydro Havrand ASA
- Naftogaz of Ukraine
- Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine
- OKEA AS
- Stadtwerke München GmbH
- Bayerngas GmbH
- Jacktel AS
- Transocean Offshore NUF
- Odfjell Drilling AS
- COSL Drilling Europe AS and COSL Offshore Management AS
- Northern Lights JV DA
Work highlights
- Advising Ocean Winds on all aspects regarding its cooperation and establishment of a joint venture together with Statkraft and Mainstream Renewables for offshore wind projects in Norway.
- Advising Eidsiva Energi on a cooperation to develop, build and operate a portfolio of solar power plants in Norway.
- Engaged to represent the rights and interests of NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine in all relations with Italia Ukraina Gas S.r.l (IUGAS) or its successors, including, but not limited to, the new arbitration proceedings related to IUGAS’s claim against Naftogaz and the enforcement of a previous arbitration award in favour of IUGAS.
Lawyers
Leading individuals: Electricity and renewable energy
Next Generation Partners: Electricity and renewable energy
Caroline is specialised within renewable energy and the green shift. She heads the firm's energy team in Oslo. In Wikborg Rein, Caroline has assisted in various energy related projects and transactions, within both the renewable energy and petroleum sectors, in Norway and abroad. Caroline has broad knowledge of projects, transactions and the regulatory regime relating to hydro power, onshore wind, offshore wind, power grid, solar power, district heating and power market. She provides advice on energy regulatory issues, including EU law within the energy area. Furthermore, Caroline regularly assists clients in contract negotiations and contract drafting both towards investors, partners, developers, contractors, suppliers and other stakeholders. Such contracts typically comprise power purchase agreements (PPA), cooperation agreements and shareholders agreements, transaction agreements, operation and maintenance agreements, landowner agreements and supply agreements. Caroline has a true engagement for new sustainable technology and infrastructure, and has had the pleasure of working on such projects on several occasions. Caroline has over several years been ranked as one of Norway's up and coming talents within the category energy and climate in the financial newspaper Finansavisen's annual lawyer survey, and is also recognised by the rating agency Chambers & Partners within the area "Energy: Electricity".
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Cathrine B. Hetland, Tormod Ludvik Nilsen, Caroline Skaar Landsværk, Christian-James Olsen